Fringe players available to leave, says boss Le Bris

SUNDERLAND manager Regis Le Bris has admitted a number of his fringe players are available to leave the Stadium of Light during the remainder of the summer transfer window.

- By MARK CARRUTHERS

Saturday proved to be a productive day for the Black Cats as they kicked off their preseason schedule with a doubleheader against non-league neighbours Gateshead and South Shields.

A youthful Black Cats side featuring first-team fringe players Joe Anderson, Ian Poveda, Nazariy Rusyn, Jay Matete, Abdoullah Ba and Hemir battled to a 2-2 draw with National League club Gateshead in a fixture that was held in front of a crowd of almost 2,200 at Hebburn Town Sports Ground.

A more senior Sunderland side containing Enzo Le Fee, Dan Ballard and record signing Habib Diarra faced National League North side South Shields at a sold-out 1st Cloud Arena just hours later and claimed a 4-0 win against the Mariners.

Speaking after the game, Le Bris reflected on a positive afternoon and gave his stance on the future of a number of members of his squad.

“Yes, absolutely,” the former Lorient boss told the Journal when asked if fringe players that featured against Gateshead were available to leave the club.